One man has died, a truck driver was arrested and three others injured after a six-vehicle accident on I-65 in Hart County.
Thursday evening at approximately 5:45, Kentucky State Police responded to the crash at the 59-mile marker of northbound I-65. The initial investigation indicates that two tractor-trailers were traveling north on I-65 in parallel lanes, when the two vehicle’s side-swiped, making “minor contact,” according to state police.
Travis R. Williams, 49, of Sheridan, Indiana, who was driving one of the tractor-trailers, accelerated in front of the other tractor-trailer and stopped in the travel portion of the interstate, causing both semis to become stationary in the right lane.
This action caused a chain of collisions, police said, including causing a Ford F-250, being driven by 18-year-old Dallas R. Woodard, of Rineyville, to strike the rear of one of the tractor-trailers. Woodard was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Hart County Coroner’s Office.
Kiarra Padilla, 21, of Battletown, was airlifted to University of Louisville Hospital and two other drivers were transported to TJ Samson Community Hospital.
Williams was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and lodged in the Hart County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
The investigation is being led by KSP Det. Michael Waggener.
(KSP issued a correction to its original press release noting that Dallas R. Woodard was 18-years-old, not 29)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
